I just noticed a Ridnour rumor on ESPN (no Insider access... D'oh!) and was curious if there was any mention/confirmation of Toronto's interest, possibly as part of a Bargnani trade (per the Vecsey rumor mentioned earlier today). Anybody with Insider access???

If Bargnani could be included, that would be much better but the only way I can see the Wolves taking Bargnani is if they think it helps land Gasol in the off season - and it assumes the Lakers would actually be interested in Bargnani and the Wolves are interested in Gasol.

If Bargnani could be included, that would be much better but the only way I can see the Wolves taking Bargnani is if they think it helps land Gasol in the off season - and it assumes the Lakers would actually be interested in Bargnani and the Wolves are interested in Gasol.

I just noticed a Ridnour rumor on ESPN (no Insider access... D'oh!) and was curious if there was any mention/confirmation of Toronto's interest, possibly as part of a Bargnani trade (per the Vecsey rumor mentioned earlier today). Anybody with Insider access???

"hris Sheridan of SheridanHoops.com reports today that Luke Ridnour is being shopped by Minnesota. Sheridan quotes an unnamed league source as saying “there is a good chance” the veteran point guard will be dealt before the NBA's Feb. 21 trade deadline. If that's the case, what teams might be interested?

Utah is the team Sheridan mentions, and for good reason -- the Jazz are fairly depleted at point guard with the injury to Mo Williams and have had to rely on Jamaal Tinsley and Alec Burks as of late with Earl Watson also missing. Ridnour, a 10-year-veteran who has started much of the season in Minnesota, would figure to be at least a decent upgrade. A once-talked-about Burks-for-Ridnour trade scenario has been shelved, however, according to Sheridan.

Boston and Dallas are two other teams that could have interest Ridnour, we'd have to think. We'll let you know if and when Ridnour's name surfaces in any other trade rumors."

I'd love to have Ridnour as the backup PG, because John Lucas clearly isn't cut out for it. If we trade Aaron Gray, then we have another big hole though. If we can trade Lucas and Gray and maybe get Ridnour and Amundson then that would work for us, although I don't see Minny taking that. Maybe they'd lke to take Anderson in the deal?

i honestly dont get why people want derrick williams...hes 6'8..Rudy is taller... how is this going to help us on the inside??? Ridnour ok but id rather pass on Derrick williams..maybe if they throw in Pek than maybe id take a flyer on WIlliams but if hes playing the 4 then i can see us getting beatup in the post & on the glass

i honestly dont get why people want derrick williams...hes 6'8..Rudy is taller... how is this going to help us on the inside??? Ridnour ok but id rather pass on Derrick williams..maybe if they throw in Pek than maybe id take a flyer on WIlliams

My thought process on Williams is 3-fold:

1 - I don't think Minnesota will giveup Pekovic (nor do I want him at his re-signed rate that will likely approach $10M per), so Williams becomes my preferred choice over Roy or Barea (one of them is needed to match salaries).

2 - Williams would be a decent trade-chip in the offseason, if BC decides to flip him (certainly a better trade chip than Roy/Barea). He's only signed for 1 more guaranteed season (then there's 1 team-option year and 1 qualifying-offer year) which gives added financial flexibility.

3 - With Gay/Williams at SF and Fields/Ross at SG, DeRozan could be used as a trade-chip to acquire a star PF at the deadline or in the offseason (ie: S&T for Millsap, as an example). That would give the Raps a starting lineup of Valanciunas, Millsap, Gay, Fields, Lowry and a bench of Gray, Johnson, Williams, Ross and Ridnour (with Acy & Lucas as 11/12th man).

1 - I don't think Minnesota will giveup Pekovic (nor do I want him at his re-signed rate that will likely approach $10M per), so Williams becomes my preferred choice over Roy or Barea (one of them is needed to match salaries).

2 - Williams would be a decent trade-chip in the offseason, if BC decides to flip him (certainly a better trade chip than Roy/Barea). He's only signed for 1 more guaranteed season (then there's 1 team-option year and 1 qualifying-offer year) which gives added financial flexibility.

3 - With Gay/Williams at SF and Fields/Ross at SG, DeRozan could be used as a trade-chip to acquire a star PF at the deadline or in the offseason (ie: S&T for Millsap, as an example). That would give the Raps a starting lineup of Valanciunas, Millsap, Gay, Fields, Lowry and a bench of Gray, Johnson, Williams, Ross and Ridnour (with Acy & Lucas as 11/12th man).

well it sounds a little better when williams isnt played in the 4 spot & i do agree the williams is a better trade chip then Roy& Berea but i dont think there will be much value out there for a tweener like williams, if so why would he be delt for our castoffs..as for derozan..not to many teams are going to want him when his contract is like a poison pill. a team who trades for him would need to absolutely love him & or have a tone of cap room next season, if he gets delt it will likely be after his new contract kicks in IMO

1 - I don't think Minnesota will giveup Pekovic (nor do I want him at his re-signed rate that will likely approach $10M per), so Williams becomes my preferred choice over Roy or Barea (one of them is needed to match salaries).

2 - Williams would be a decent trade-chip in the offseason, if BC decides to flip him (certainly a better trade chip than Roy/Barea). He's only signed for 1 more guaranteed season (then there's 1 team-option year and 1 qualifying-offer year) which gives added financial flexibility.

3 - With Gay/Williams at SF and Fields/Ross at SG, DeRozan could be used as a trade-chip to acquire a star PF at the deadline or in the offseason (ie: S&T for Millsap, as an example). That would give the Raps a starting lineup of Valanciunas, Millsap, Gay, Fields, Lowry and a bench of Gray, Johnson, Williams, Ross and Ridnour (with Acy & Lucas as 11/12th man).

I'd rather a starting lineup of Val, Johnson, Gay, Derozan, Lowry over Val, Millsap, Gay, Fields, Lowry. I know that was only an example, I'm just saying.